Body surface temperature (Tb) is a key determinant of physiological performance, behavior, and fitness in ectotherms, and its dynamic variation provides critical insights into thermal adaptation. However, field-based data on Tb and its relationship with microhabitat temperature (Te) remain scarce for amphibians and reptiles inhabiting extreme arid desert ecosystems in China. While considerable related research has been conducted in desert regions of Africa, the United States, and Australia, the unique climatic and ecological characteristics of Chinese deserts highlight the urgent need for regional thermal ecology data to fill this knowledge gap. Using infrared thermal imaging, a non-invasive approach to temperature measurement, we quantified Tb (Tb-h, head surface temperature; Tb-d, dorsal surface temperature) and Te in two amphibian and four reptile species from the Tarim River Basin to investigate their thermoregulatory strategies under extreme desert conditions. Our results revealed substantial interspecific variation in Tb. Reptiles generally exhibited higher Tb than amphibians, with the highest species-level mean exceeding 40 degrees C. Within species, significant differences between Tb-h and Tb-d were detected in both amphibians and reptiles, indicating heterogeneous thermal demands among body regions; however, the patterns of these differences were species specific. With respect to Tb-Te relationships, most species showed strong positive correlations between Tb and Te, with the notable exception of Bufotes pewzowi. This species exhibited basking behavior and appeared capable of exploiting thermal gradients to maintain distinct thermal patterns during daytime compared with nighttime. Collectively, these findings highlight the diversity of Tb patterns among desert ectotherms and underscore the importance of integrating behavioral, physiological, and environmental data to better understand their ecological adaptations and vulnerability to climate change. Our study further demonstrates the utility of infrared thermal imaging as a real-time, non-invasive tool for assessing ectotherm thermal ecology in the field.
The genus Ovophis described by Burger in Hoge&Romano-Hoge 1981,is among the most widely distributed genera within the subfamily Crotalinae in Asia.Its geographic range extends westward from Okinawa Island,Japan,through southern China,the Indochina Peninsula,and the Malay Peninsula,reaching as far as Nepal.During recent herpetological surveys conducted in the vicinity of Medog County,Xizang Autonomous Region,China,an undescribed species of snake was discovered.Based on an integrative analysis combining morphological and molecular evidence,this species is herein described as a new taxon:Ovophis medogensis sp.nov.This new species can be readily distinguished from all congeners by the following unique combination of characters:the presence of off-white spots on the ventral surface;absence of irregular markings on the dorsal surface of the head;a dark brown dorsal ground coloration bearing butterfly-shaped blotches;a distinct brownish-orange postorbital stripe;an iris exhibiting a cream to orange-red coloration,intersected by a single vertically oriented black blotch traversing the pupil;the dorsal surface of the tail ornamented with white dots extending to the tail tip;infralabials 11(12)/11(10);the first and second pairs of infralabials in contact with chin shields;supralabials usually eight,occasionally nine;ventrals 132-138;subcaudals 39-49,mostly paired;and dorsal scale rows arranged in 23(25)-23-19.Molecular phylogenetic analyses recovered the new species as a well-supported and distinct lineage,with strong nodal support indicated by a Bayesian posterior probability(BPP)of 1.00 and a UFB value of 100.Uncorrected pairwise genetic distance analyses based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b(Cyt b)gene revealed that the genetic divergences between the new species and other recognized species of the genus Ovophis range from 0.055(vs.Ovophis monticola)to 0.135(vs.Ovophis tonkinensis).The identification of this unrecognized species enhances our understanding of biotic diversity in the eastern Himalayan and provides critical insights into resolving the taxonomic boundaries and evolutionary history of the genus.
Dear Editor, Tadpoles play vital roles in many aquatic ecosystems and show considerable morphological diversity(Altig and McDiarmid,1999).Understanding the morphology and ecology of these larval stages is therefore essential for comprehending the ecological requirements of specific anuran species(Inger,1985;Dubois,2010).The Xizang Autonomous Region is home to highly diverse amphibian communities,with more than 58 species identified to date(Che et al.,2020).However,tadpoles have been recorded for only 23 species(Hu,1987;Li et al.,2010;Liang et al.,2017;Che et al.,2020;Shi et al.,2020).The rainforests of Medog County,located in the eastern Himalayas,are considered one of the world's 25 biodiversity hotspots(Myers et al.,2000).This region exhibits a high degree of spatial and temporal variation and harbors the richest biodiversity in Xizang.Although many new anuran species have been discovered there,most descriptions are limited to adults,resulting in scarce information on tadpoles(Che et al.,2020).
The fine-scale habitat selection behavior of juvenile Chinese alligators(Alligator sinensis)is crucial to understand for ex situ environment design and in situ habitat restoration,yet how thermal requirements shape their microhabitat use remains unclear.To address this,we studied ten juveniles in a semi-natural artificial pond with four environmentally distinct quadrants during September 2025.Using 24-h video surveillance and systematic sampling,we analyzed their spatial use patterns,diel rhythms,and environmental drivers via temporal trend analysis and generalized linear mixed modeling(GLMM).Results indicated heterogeneous space use across quadrants and spatially distinct diel rhythms.Habitat selection was best explained by an interaction between solar exposure ratio and time of day.The GLMM revealed a significant interaction between solar exposure ratio and time period(P<0.05),with simple slope analysis showing that solar exposure ratio had a strong positive effect on habitat use in the afternoon and night but not the morning.Concealment area also had a consistent positive effect.These findings demonstrate that juvenile Chinese alligators employ a dynamic,thermal-requirement-driven spatiotemporal strategy.This behavioral plasticity is critical for maintaining physiological homeostasis,suggesting that access to thermally heterogeneous habitats may be an important consideration in conservation planning for this species.
The genus Pachytriton is distributed in eastern and southern China,with its taxonomic diversity significantly expanded through advances in molecular systematics.To investigate the distribution and evolutionary history of Pachytriton feii,this study surveyed the Huangshan-Huaiyu Mountains Biodiversity Conservation Priority Area from April to May 2025.Based on detailed morphological measurements and phylogenetic analyses of two mitochondrial genes(Cytb and ND2)and the nuclear gene RAG1,one undescribed species(later formally named Pachytriton yeae sp.nov.)was discovered and formally described.Phylogenetically,the new species forms a strongly supported independent clade(maximum likelihood,ML=99％;Bayesian posterior probability,BPP=0.99)as the sister group to P.feii,with uncorrected genetic distances of 5.5％(Cytb)and 7.1％(ND2)—both exceeding the generally recognized species-level genetic threshold for amphibians.Morphologically,the new species differs from P.feii by the presence of a distinctive silver tail stripe(absent in P.feii),as well as larger head width(HW),head length(HL),chest width(CW),and tail height(TH)in both sexes.It also exhibits sex-specific traits:males have longer forelimbs(FL)and a wider internasal distance(IND),while females have longer tails(TL).This new species raises the known species count of Pachytriton to eleven,confirming that the biodiversity of the subtropical mountains of eastern China was underestimated.Given its restricted distribution and threats from deforestation and hydropower development,urgent conservation prioritization in the Huaiyu Mountains is needed to protect the new taxon and co-occurring endemic amphibians.
Maintaining genetic variability is widely regarded as essential for ensuring the adaptive capacity and long-term persistence of threatened species in changing environments.Native to Zhejiang Province in China,Hynobius yiwuensis is a threatened amphibian species that has undergone severe population reductions,primarily attributed to environmental degradation and the loss of suitable habitats.In this study,we applied transcriptome-derived microsatellite markers(SSRs)to evaluate genetic diversity and population structure in five H.yiwuensis populations from Zhejiang Province.We identified 9 817 SSR loci in total,of which mononucleotide repeats occurred most frequently.Genetic diversity analyses revealed moderate polymorphism,with an average observed heterozygosity(Ho)of 0.4080 and expected heterozygosity(He)of 0.5020 across the populations.Among the examined populations,genetic diversity was highest in Lihuang(He=0.5802)and lowest in Huantan(He=0.4000),indicating regional differences in heterozygosity levels.Population bottleneck tests indicated genetic constriction,particularly in the Huantan population,significantly increasing extinction risks.The study also found substantial genetic differentiation between island and mainland populations,with the Mahuangshan population being highly isolated.These results underscore the urgency of implementing targeted conservation efforts to preserve the genetic integrity of H.yiwuensis and provide insights for the management of other endangered amphibians.
Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological features,a new species of the genus Oreolalax Myers&Leviton,1962(Anura:Megophryidae)is described from Yunnan Province,China.Molecular phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI gene sequences indicate that the new species forms an independent clade closely related to Oreolalax omeimontis.The genetic distance between these two taxa is 11.25％based on the 16S gene and 17.61％based on COI.The new species can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters:(1)moderate body size(SVL of males 49.5-53.0 mm,n=2;female 46.6 mm,n=1);(2)tympanums hidden or slightly visible;(3)absence of a vocal sac;(4)rudimentary interdigital toe webbing;(5)narrow lateral fringes;(6)tibiotarsal articulation reaching between the eye and nostril when the hindlimb is stretched;(7)heels just meeting with hindlimbs oriented at right angles to the body axis;(8)femoral glands large and distinct;(9)abdomen with distinct cloudy spots;(10)male dorsum covered with large and small tubercles;(11)a dark triangular patch between the eyes.
Understanding the genetic structure of a population is essential for the effective conservation of threatened species. This study presents the first analysis of the population genetic structure of the spider-tailed viper (Pseudocerastes urarachnoides) in western Iran, based on Cytb and CR1 mitochondrial gene sequences. Using spatial analysis of molecular variance and principal coordinates analysis, we delineated five distinct populations. We observed a pattern of low nucleotide diversity (pi) and high haplotype diversity (Hd), with significant genetic differentiation between populations (Phi ST = 0.1-0.92, P < 0.05). Intra-population genetic diversity was significantly lower than inter-population diversity (P < 0.001). The haplotype network analysis confirmed the existence of five distinct haplogroups for Cytb, and four for CR1 and the combined dataset. This reveals a general lack of genetic connectivity between these populations. Although neutrality tests (Tajima's D, Fu's Fs) and the raggedness index suggested population stability, a pattern of isolation by distance was evident across the species' range. These results define five key management units for P. urarachnoides. As a unique endemic species facing significant threats, these findings provide the Iranian Department of Environment with a critical genetic foundation on which to develop targeted conservation strategies to preserve this viper and its associated habitats.
Dear Editor, Understanding patterns of species diversity is a primary research focus in macroecology,with its distribution patterns having been described and theoretically validated on a global scale(Peters et al.,2016;Sonne et al.,2025).Numerous studies have found that species richness of different taxa tends to decrease with increasing elevation and is modulated by latitudinal gradients(Peters et al.,2016;Dolson et al.,2024).This principle provides a crucial scientific basis for regional conservation planning.However,it still exhibits significant variations across different mountain ranges and taxa.Therefore,exploring the elevational patterns of species richness remains an important area of ongoing research.Reptiles are the most abundant species of terrestrial vertebrates and are widespread in Earth's terrestrial systems(Ran et al.,2023;Dolson et al.,2024).They display unique distribution patterns and life history traits due to their limited mobility and constraints imposed by topographic barriers(Rahbek et al.,2019;Dolson et al.,2024).However,it is currently facing the challenges of data scarcity and insufficient conservation investment.Leigongshan National Nature Reserve(26°15′-26°32′ N,108°5′-108°24′ E),a region with abundant reptile species,sits on the second step of China's Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau(Ran et al.,2023,2024).Over the past 50 years of surveys,the number of reptile species recorded within the reserve has increased from 34 to 62(Hu et al.,1973;Ran et al.,2023).However,previous research has primarily focused on species composition and taxonomic revisions,lacking systematic studies on elevational distribution and conservation assessments.In addition,with ongoing taxonomic developments and revisions,a systematic review and update of the reptile checklist for the Leigongshan Reserve is warranted(Ran et al.,2023;Wu et al.,2025).
Bhutan is a biodiverse country,yet there are relatively few scientific studies on its herpetofauna.To determine research gaps and opportunities for scientific advances,we completed a literature review on amphibians and reptiles of Bhutanese origin from online databases including ResearchGate,Google Scholar,the Integrated Taxonomic Information System(ITIS),and relevant authors.Of the 63 studies on herpetofauna of Bhutan between 1972 and 2022,most focused on reptiles(45%)followed by amphibians(32%),while fewer(23%)included both taxa.Most studies were field-based(n=44),followed by desktop research(n=14),and then laboratory work(n=5).Ecology and natural history studies(n=35)dominated the literature,while other disciplines included conservation and anthropogenic interactions(n=22),then evolution,taxonomy,and systematics(n=4).Single reports existed on disease,and on genetic studies.After 2009,the quantity of literature rose considerably to a total of 52 publications on Bhutanese herpetofauna.Most studies have been conducted by Bhutanese researchers(n=36),followed by collaborations with scientists from outside the country(n=15),and work published by foreign scientists alone(n=12)contributed some of the earliest studies.There was a bias in the taxa studied,the type of research,and the location of study.Research concentrating on anatomy or physiology was absent,while studies on disease,genetics,taxonomy,and systematic classification are scarce.There is a pressing need for increased conservation-oriented studies,as they were poorly represented.These gaps offer direction for further research.In particular,there are few studies on the diversity and distribution of amphibians and reptiles—such information is key to analysing threats and developing effective conservation strategies.Such knowledge would contribute greatly towards the conservation and management of Bhutan's native amphibians and reptiles. Bhutan currently harbours ca.83 amphibian species(31 genera,8 families,3 orders:Anura,Caudata,Gymnophiona)and ca.138 reptile species(58 genera,17 families,2 orders:Squamata,Testudines).Bhutan does have crocodiles,but they are in captivity only.
